In a shocking revelation, the Om Prakash Jogender Singh (OPJS) University in Rajasthan has been implicated in a massive fake degree scandal. The university allegedly issued 43,409 forged degrees across 19 Indian states and Nepal. This scandal has brought to light the rampant issue of academic fraud and its far-reaching consequences. Addressing this crisis is crucial to maintaining educational qualifications’ integrity and protecting the future of countless students and professionals.
Importance Of Addressing Degree Frauds
Degree fraud undermines the value of genuine academic achievements shown in CVs and poses significant risks to employers, professional sectors, and society at large. With fake degrees, unqualified individuals may occupy positions requiring specific skills and knowledge, potentially leading to disastrous outcomes in fields such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and education, among others. Therefore, tackling this issue head-on is imperative to safeguard the credibility of educational institutions and the professional landscape.
OPJS University Fake Degree Scam: Key Details
The fake degree scandal at OPJS University came to light after the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police unearthed evidence of over 43,000 forged degrees issued over several years. This discovery has raised alarms about the prevalence of degree fraud in India and neighbouring countries, such as Nepal.
According to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the SOG Paris Deshmukh, the fraudulent activities came to light when the exam controlling agency in the state discovered that the degrees of 1,300 applicants who appeared for the Physical Training Instructor (PTI) exam in 2022 were fake. This revelation occurred during a routine verification process on April 8, 2024.
During the investigation, the Special Operations Group (SOG) discovered that OPJS University had been issuing fake certificates with backdated entries. Additionally, the university was found to violate several accreditation guidelines, further exposing the extent of its fraudulent practices.
States And Regions Affected By This Fake Degree Fraud
The fake degrees issued by OPJS University have impacted multiple regions:
- Rajasthan: The epicentre of the scandal, with numerous fraudulent degrees distributed.
- 18 Other Indian States: Including states like Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Telangana, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand.
- Nepal: Cross-border involvement with several fake degrees detected.
Key figures within OPJS University, including high-ranking officials, have been arrested in connection with the fake degree scandal. The authorities detained these individuals for their direct involvement in issuing forged academic credentials, highlighting the level of corruption within the institution.
Middlemen played a crucial role in the distribution of fake degrees. These intermediaries facilitated the sale and distribution of fraudulent diplomas, often operating across state lines and even international borders to reach a wide customer base.
Courses For Which Fake Degrees Were Issued
The fraudulent activity spanned various fields:
- Engineering: 8861 Degrees in mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering.
- Education: 7826 Degrees for teaching and administrative roles.
- Medical: 6188 Fake Degrees for medical professionals.
- Arts and Pharmacy: 5397 Degrees in liberal arts and 3167 degrees in pharmaceutical sciences.
Legal Actions Taken In This Fraud Degree Scandal
On July 5, the SOG apprehended Jogender Singh Dalal, the owner of OPJS University. Alongside him, former chairperson Sarita Karwasra and former registrar Jitendra Yadav were also taken into custody. Notably, Jitendra Yadav currently owns two other private universities in Rajasthan and Gujarat, further highlighting the extent of the network involved in this fraudulent operation.
State Government’s Response To This Fake Degree Scandal
Given the questionable actions of the university’s owners as highlighted in the SOG’s report, Rajastan’s state higher education department decided on June 24 to suspend all new admissions at OPJS University. This includes mandating background checks for all employees in educational institutions and ensuring that degrees are verified through legitimate channels.
In response to the scandal, the DIG stated, “We have also asked them to launch an investigation on the candidates of the 43,909 candidates who were issued a certificate by the OPJS to check whether all of them are fake. They will now verify the date of fee submission and admission of those candidates.”
The Department of Personnel (DoP) also issued an order on June 6, requiring all Rajasthan government departments to verify the degrees of employees who joined the government in the last five years. An official familiar with the matter explained this comprehensive measure to ensure that government employees hold legitimate qualifications.
“We have also contacted the administration of the 19 states and Nepal where the OPJS issued fake certificates. A formal letter will soon be sent to all these states to verify the degrees of the employees working in their concerned state government as well,” added Deshmukh. This widespread verification effort extends beyond Rajasthan, aiming to address the potential spread of fraudulent degrees across multiple regions.
Verification Processes for Existing Employees
Organisations are now prioritising the verification of the academic credentials of their current employees. This involves using degree verification services and credential evaluation agencies to ensure the legitimacy of the qualifications held by their staff.
The OPJS University fake degree scandal has significant ramifications, prompting various responses from state authorities and other stakeholders. In light of the findings reported by the Special Operations Group (SOG), the Rajasthan State Higher Education Department took decisive action on June 24 by ordering the suspension of all new admissions at the university.
The Rajasthan government has decided to review the hiring processes of 300,000 state employees recruited over the past five years after discovering this fake degree scandal. This investigation will check the authenticity of the degrees held by these employees.
This decision was made by the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led administration following reports of people using fake documents to get government jobs. The fraudulent activities have been found in various exams, including those for Physical Training Instructors (PTI) and Sub-Inspectors.
Broader Impact Of These Scandals
Effect on Employment and Government Jobs
The issuance of fake degrees has severe repercussions on employment and government jobs. Many individuals holding fake qualifications have managed to secure positions in various sectors, undermining the merit-based system and potentially compromising the quality of services. Government jobs, in particular, have seen a significant number of fake degree holders, leading to concerns about the efficiency and integrity of public service.
Implications for Professional Licenses and Immigration
The scandal also affects professional licensing and immigration processes. Fake degrees can lead to the issuance of professional licenses to unqualified individuals, posing risks in critical fields such as healthcare and engineering. Additionally, fake academic credentials are a serious concern in immigration, where qualifications are often a key factor in visa approvals.
How To Spot A Fake Degree
Detecting a fake degree can be challenging, but there are several common signs to look out for:
- Poor Quality Printing: Genuine degrees are usually printed on high-quality paper with professional printing techniques.
- Incorrect or Missing Details: Look for inconsistencies in the university’s name, logo, or the format of the degree.
- Unusual Issuance Dates: Degrees issued outside the normal academic calendar may be suspicious.
- Lack of Contact Information: Authentic degrees usually have verifiable contact information for the issuing institution.
Verification Methods
To ensure a degree is legitimate, consider the following verification methods:
- Contact the Issuing Institution: Directly confirm the degree with the university’s registrar or records office.
- Use Degree Verification Services: Third-party services can provide credential verification and background checks.
- Check Accreditation: Ensure the issuing institution is accredited by a recognised accreditation body.
Importance Of Conducting Background Verification For Organisations
Conducting thorough background verification (BGV) for existing employees is essential to maintaining the quality and integrity of an organisation’s workforce. This process ensures that all employees have legitimate educational qualifications, thereby protecting the organisation from the risks associated with hiring individuals with fake degrees. The repercussions of hiring unqualified personnel can be severe, ranging from decreased productivity to significant reputational damage.
Role of Credential Evaluation and Background Checks
AuthBridge provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to verify educational credentials effectively. Our solutions are tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses, ensuring that the verification process is thorough and reliable. We perform over 15 million monthly verifications across 140 countries, serving over 2,000 clients globally.
AuthBridge’s education verification services include:
- Instant Checks via DigiLocker and Proprietary Database: These digital platforms provide quick and secure verification by accessing official academic records directly.
- Human-Led Services via Call and Email: This method involves direct communication with educational institutions to confirm the authenticity of degrees.
AuthBridge verifies various details such as course information, duration, GPA scores, graduation status, and attendance dates. This multi-layered approach ensures that all aspects of a candidate’s educational background are scrutinised.
These services help employers prevent fraud, ensure competency, and maintain their reputation by hiring only qualified individuals. AuthBridge’s solutions are built to scale, making them suitable for organisations of all sizes, from small businesses to large corporations.
Conclusion
The OPJS University fake degree scandal highlights the critical importance of thorough background verification processes in today’s competitive job market. Degree fraud poses significant risks to employers, employees, and the broader community. Implementing robust verification measures, such as those offered by AuthBridge, is essential to safeguard against academic fraud and ensure that only qualified individuals are employed.
